Developing Transition Activities: Students and Families

Transition: Movement, development or evolution from one form, stage or style to another. (Merriam Webster) Picture of t-shirt that says “Lost in Transition”

Team Members: Teachers Administrators Parents Students Voc- Rehab Counselors Tech Center Disability Counselor Picture of cast o “The A Team” with word teachers pointing to it. Teachers! Would like to add business leaders from the community Meet quarterly, attend OTI conferences, constant e-mail communication

Goals: To provide the most appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. To ease the student’s movement from school to post-school activities, including college, vocational education, integrated employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living or community participation, while promoting self-advocacy. Process needs to begin early- latest in 9th grade but should begin earlier if possible. Picture of a crocodile saying “I wanna be a purse when I grow up.”

Because You Can’t Always Depend on Parents Planning Picture of a baby duct taped to a wall Because You Can’t Always Depend on Parents

Essential components of an effective transition plan: Truly Individualized Education Plans Informed team (teachers, administrators, parents, student) Students as self-advocates Long term plans Testing, interviews, knowing the student, based on student interest and preferences

Summer Transition Team Planning Grant Picture of a man carrying a huge money bag with a dollar sign on it.

Educated ourselves on new IEPs Developed sample IEPs TRANSITION IEPS!!!! Educated ourselves on new IEPs Developed sample IEPs Conducted training at each secondary school in the district Developed goal banks for junior high and senior high school transition goals Determined assessments, will break down goals further to be implemented in certain subject areas

Summer Mini- Conference for Students, Parents and Educators: Student and teacher stipend Various speakers (for example: representatives of the Zarrow Center, colleges, state agencies and other entities) Mini Conference. Picture of babies standing around with the caption “mini conference”.

Provide education, insight and opportunities Parent Meetings: IEP…RtI…SOP Blah, blah, blah… Manifestation/Determination Monitoring data Is she speaking English? Invite families Parent driven Provide education, insight and opportunities Family networking Who was invited, format, examples of speakers Picture of teacher having conference with parents. She says “IEP RtI SOP” and other lingo used by special ed teachers. Parent says “Is she speaking English?”

Teacher Training: Transition IEPs Self Directed IEPs Portfolios Sdi- train the trainer Picture of t-shirt that says “I am the I in IEP”

Purchases: Self Directed IEP kits Choose and Take Action Assessments Work boxes Picture of man throwing money around in the air

Self Directed IEPs: Most important component!!!! Involves students in the decision making Educates students on their disability Promotes self advocacy How we do training,, hope to use “Me”

Leadership Steps* Teacher-Directed Steps Student- Directed 3% Study of 1700 IEP team members in 393 IEP meetings. Teacher-Directed Steps Student- Directed 3% Student introduced self 70% 1.2% Student introduced IEP team members 77% 0.0% Student stated purpose of the meeting 2.4% Student reviewed past goals and progress 53% Student asked for feedback 22% 6.0% Student asked questions if didn’t understand 35% 5.9% Student dealt with differences in opinion 17% 4.7% Student stated needed support 25% 49.4% Student expressed interests 72% 20% Student expressed skills and limits 43% 27.1% Student expressed options and goals Student closed meeting by thanking everyone 14% Broke up steps by grade level Martin, J. E., Huber Marshall, L., & Sale, P. (2004). A 3-year study of middle, junior high, and high school IEP meetings. Exceptional Children, 70, 285-297. *

Other Activities: Work Study program Work exploration program Residual ACTs Cookie sales Substitute teacher bags Moore Norman Tech Center

Contact Info: Betsy LeFrancois Betsylefrancois@mooreschools.com 405-735-4929 2901 S. Santa Fe Moore, Ok. 73160 Polly Oliver Pollyoliver@mooreschools.com 405-735-4323 1500 SE 4th Moore, Ok. 73160